Discipline is not fun. We would rather talk about things that come naturally or that are naturally enjoyable. However, discipline is necessary for the Christian life. 1 Timothy 4:7 says, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.” The verb “train” in the ESV is a command that is continually ongoing for Christians to undergo discipline for the purpose of godliness.

The secret to discipline is understanding where discipline is leading us. In Donald Whitney’s excellent book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, he says, “Discipline without direction is drudgery.” Jogging, walking on a treadmill, and eating healthy foods are not fun! If you do not have the goal of potentially living longer and feeling better, the discipline of exercise and eating healthier is a laborious burden. If you do not know where discipline is taking you, you will resentfully work through your daily disciplines and probably quit at some point.

One of the main elements of discipleship and discipline for us as Christians is Bible intake and daily reading. How many times have you said, “I am going to read the Bible every day,” only to be consistent for three days and then stop? Excuses abound! However, if you do not understand the direction Bible intake is taking you, you will be tempted to stop. Let’s go through several elements of importance pertaining to the discipline of Bible reading.

The first important step toward disciplined Bible reading/study is to decide to read the Bible and stick with a plan. If you don’t decide to read the Bible, you never will. Don’t wait until you feel like reading—read because you know you should. As far as a plan is concerned, there are many wonderful Bible reading programs that can take you through the Bible in a year or just the New Testament in a year. Or maybe you are super disciplined and can develop your own plan.

At a bare minimum, I suggest having a number of chapters in mind that you plan on reading. You may jump from the New Testament to the Old Testament daily or just stick to the same place. Make sure you do not just let your Bible fall open and hope to find inspiration. This is a horrible way to study the Bible. 

It is certain you will not understand everything you read, but a good study Bible is key to this journey of walking in the Scriptures daily. In point four of this blog, I have recommendations on good study Bibles:
https://www.flatrun.org/blog/post/-new-years-resolutions-are-usually-a-joke-but-i-have-one-for-you-that-you-desperately-need

Second, pick the time and place you will read the Bible. This is very practical—but when are you going to read? If you do not put it into your schedule, you are not going to do it. Reading in the morning is best for most people because your mind is fresh and you are making God and His Word the top priority of your day. But make sure you know when you are going to read.

Third, have a friend help keep you accountable. Maybe you will choose to read through the same number of chapters together each week. Maybe not. But when you first get going in this new journey, you need someone to help you along the way. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”

If you do not have partnership in spiritual disciplines, especially early on, you are bound to neglect them. If you have ever been into going to the gym to work out, you know that one of the main motivators for you to go is that your friend is there waiting for you and you can’t let them down. The discipline of Bible reading is similar. It is embarrassing to say, “Yeah, I have not been reading as I ought this week.” But make sure that if you have a partnership, it is not one of indulgence, but that you are really helping your friend out of the ditch and encouraging them to good works.

Fourth, journal what you have just read. For a fuller treatment on journaling, you can read what I wrote here:
https://www.flatrun.org/blog/post/why-journaling-matters-for-your-walk-with-christ

Suffice it to say, on the topic of journaling, that this practice has been such a breath of fresh gospel air to my weary soul over the years. Some days I may write a sentence. Some days a page or two. Some days I may not do it. But it is a discipline attached to Bible reading that is worthy of your attention.

In our next blog, I intend to write on what to look for when you read the Bible. It will be more of a tutorial on how to study the Bible, because many Christians get frustrated at not knowing what is going on. Stay tuned.

Soli Deo Gloria